Screen to Speed: Yvonne Houffelaar (Update!)

Crew Chief Brad: [00:00:00] Welcome to Screen to Speed powered by INIT eSports. In this podcast, we dive into the journeys of remarkable individuals making waves in sim racing and bridging the virtual with the real. From the thrill of digital circuits to the roar of real life racetracks, we explore the passion, dedication and innovation that drives the world of motorsports.

We’ll hear from athletes, creators, and pioneers sharing their stories, insights, and the powerful ways sim racing is connecting communities and creating pathways into motorsports. So buckle up screen. The speed starts now.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Welcome everyone to unit talks. Hello. Hello. Good evening. Uh, today we have an Wonderful. You wanna with us and want to tell you that you can, uh, listen [00:01:00] to any talks on Spotify. Don’t forget about this. And you want welcome.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Hello. Thank you. Nice to be here again.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, that’s good. Um, so let’s start with, uh, how you start your journey in, uh, in racing and in some racing as well.

Can you tell us a little bit about this?

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yes. Well, I started with go karting since I was seven years old. Uh, I was on holiday with my parents in the south of France and there was a nice little outdoor track and they were advertising, uh, go karting for the youth. So I said to my parents, Oh, that looks cool.

And I was always watching already the F1 with my dad. So they said, okay, well. Let’s try it see if it’s something so I tried it and it’s actually went pretty good as well And I really loved it. So when we came back in the Netherlands Um, I started to look [00:02:00] into okay Where are the cartoon clubs? Because I wanted to learn because I always when I do something I want to achieve the best that I can So then I found, uh, in the Netherlands, uh, the NYE cafe.

So that was a Dutch, um, uh, used for karting where you get training two times a week. And in the weekends I race, I did races. So I did that till I was, uh, 16 years old. And then I went over to the racing side of it because when I was 15, I got my racing license in the Netherlands. And, um, yeah, then I started some tests, uh, driving on the tracks, uh, looking into what I would like to race because it’s all very expensive.

So yeah, I needed to find a way. And then, uh, yeah, my disability got worse. I needed to drive with hand controls, which was a bit of a struggle because back then. There were some [00:03:00] racing cars with hand controls, but those were so expensive to race in, uh, I couldn’t afford it. Also, a few sponsors weren’t enough.

So then, I decided to stop, also with the karting, uh, because, uh, I like to be competitive. If I can’t shoot to my health. I can get very disappointed and, uh, I’m normally not about giving up. Uh, no, I just wanted to, to make sure that I’m still have the enjoyment, like I always have to, and not laying down, uh, for three weeks after one race.

So that was the case when I, just before I stopped. So then I decided to stop. And, uh, in 2015, uh, I came in, uh, contact with iRacing for the first time, uh, by my ex brother in law. And, uh, he says, well, I found something, you need to try it, you will like this. So, yes, I did [00:04:00] try, and I liked it, so I had a old cheap wheel from him.

With my laptop, because it still runs iRacing, I was sitting on the desk driving, uh, get off the desk chair, get the wheels off to make sure you don’t slide backwards all the time. And, uh, that’s how I started on iRacing. And then, uh, later on due to sim racing, I got back in the racing car again in England for Team Brits with hand controls.

So that was very cool.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s great. You know, you got a really nice experience in racing and it’s racing as well. Um, and can you tell me what is your highlighted events in racing, uh, which you did and you remember, um, like get a podium or something like this?

Yvonne Houffelaar: Well, my highlights. It’s not even about the podium because especially with karting I had I have enough trophies I had enough podium but my highlight was [00:05:00] when I got back in the racing car after 10 years It was exactly 10 years that week as well.

I drove for the first time again at Silverstone with hand controls And that was the dream. So That’s was definitely my highlight to be able to be back racing again with the hand controls in England. Yeah. It was fantastic.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s cool. Uh, can you tell me how is it to drive with the hand controls? Because I know some people driving like this and maybe we can get involved more people who are disabled and maybe dream about racing.

But um, Yeah. Just not thinking that you can use the hand controls, uh, right here.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yes, but if you are interested in sim racing or racing and you need to use hand controls, please send me a message, Discord, social media, whatsoever. I can help, that’s not a problem. So please send a message over, because, uh, I like to help everyone out there.

So that’s, [00:06:00] that’s one of my goals, always, to help everyone else. And, uh, for me, it was very good because, uh, I just don’t have the feeling in my legs and my feet anymore after my back surgery. And for me, it’s a struggle to, to drive because you can’t see how much you push the pedal. You can’t feel it. So for me, the hand controls were perfect.

The only challenge was, uh, as you can see, I think I have small hands. So for me, they needed to adjust it a little bit to be able to, to reach the, uh, the, the throttle and brake and also where you shift with, because I shift myself. So, uh, that was, uh, a button on, on the wheel that was for the shifting, but to be able to reach it all, it needed to be a little bit adjusted, but apart from that, yeah, it was perfect.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Uh, can you tell the difference? So, uh, as [00:07:00] I understand you drove with, uh, with legs and then you switched to hand controls, how was it for you to switch a, was it really hard to get used to that?

Yvonne Houffelaar: I already drove in, uh, yeah, my daily life car, a normal car with hand controls, so it was a different system, much better for racing because what goes in the car is not suited for a race car, but, um, I wasn’t really quite used.

So to drive with my hands, um, of course I enjoyed the pedals more because back then I was a lot more able, uh, to do with my body, uh, like with sports and just in daily life, it’s went a lot better back then. So that’s why I prefer the pedals. But the hand controls are great. It’s a great solution if you can’t use your legs anymore for any reason.

Or even with a broken leg or something, you can still drive in the sim. If you have a couple of [00:08:00] glitches, you can already race. That’s great.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, I remember I tried, uh, just for fun on stream, I had, uh, Thrustmaster SF 1000, which got, uh, clutches, and I tried to use it as a throttle and brake pedal. Um, actually, it achieves quite good lip time, so I think that brain can adapt quite fast to this, and it’s great, yeah, definitely.

Um, you mentioned that you started from, uh, racing. Um, how You switched to another course, Campa, because I know that you’ve been into a CCA lot of time and you Yes. Did some championships here as well.

Yvonne Houffelaar: I have wait many hours in, in, uh, a CC probably more was also watching because I love to do endurance racing.

So I did loads of, uh, 24 hours or 12 hour races, or six hour races with the gt. We are ladies, uh, back then, so that was great. And, um, yeah, um, [00:09:00] I really like ACC because I still have adjusted pedals so my feet can’t go off. But I like the braking a bit more. It’s a bit easier for me to get the braking. On the control by looking to my desk to see how much I push my pedals.

Then on iRacing, on iRacing for me, the brakes are my biggest enemy in the car because then you brake too much or you don’t edge off enough or, uh, You brake too fast, uh, too much. It’s really difficult to do exactly the same every lap on iRacing with my pedals. So that’s why I secretly enjoy Benedetta Bentley on ACC a lot more.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, I noticed that in ACC you really have to push pedal really hard compared to iRacing where you’re just pressing a little bit and you [00:10:00] breaking quite a lot and you stop in the car better. Uh, so understandable that ACC is better with the hand controls because you can Like push 100 percent and then release and it’s a lot easier to do compared to a racing.

I fully understand this um, can you tell me about the biggest event where you take a part in ACC and Yeah, maybe take some cool places or just had fun with your friends in endurance

Yvonne Houffelaar: Oh, I had a lot of fun Fun with friends with endurance racing, that’s for sure. Uh, I can’t remember that. I went for an, yeah, I did.

I needed to think. Um, I went, uh, with the GTWR guys, uh, to the aime Racing Expo at the Berg Ring. Uh, I think it was four years ago. I’m not sure. Four or five years ago since then, I went every year to the expo. But that was pretty cool because, uh. [00:11:00] The guy won as well, and I was making the pictures, so I was laying under the rig there, and I had the winning shot of the teammate that won, so yeah, that was perfect as well.

Um, and yeah, Endurance Racing, I met a lot of people thanks to SimRacing, not only at the XBOX, So, uh, I went to, to England for a birthday of Thea, who got 30, uh, as a surprise. It was during the COVID time. So last minute I decided, okay, I can go. And, um, I met Sophie who I’m together with now for, for three years.

Four years? I’m not sure. Three years, I think, so, yeah, it’s great and I made a lot of friends and, uh, yeah, it’s good fun.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, that’s great. Can you tell me how is it for you to be, uh, with your partner into some racing together? Uh, because I got the same situation and, uh, For me, it’s, it’s really fun. It’s really [00:12:00] cool when you got someone who supports your, your way and trying to help you as well, so help is it for you?

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yes, it’s great. We try to help each other. We like to race with each other. Uh, and as. It’s nice because we, we used to do a lot of, uh, VRS endurance, so the two of us, it was a three hour race, so not too long, and then the two of us drove that, and that was great. Now I’m driving a bit less in the rig, now I’m sitting here for show, but it isn’t used for some time, so hopefully when, when it’s a little bit more adjusted, and, uh, Yeah, a little bit better setup for me with my disability.

I’ll be able to race again. And then yeah, that will be perfect

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, speaking about the rig. What are you having right now? And what are you planning to upgrade to make it more comfortable for you?

Yvonne Houffelaar: Well, I have now a similar brick, uh, with a Ossetech wheelbase, the [00:13:00] Forter, I believe. Yes, the Forter, uh, with a round wheel, with clutches, and everything on.

And I have the Heusinkveld spritz, uh, at the moment. In the future, I will I’m doubting what I want to do. Uh, there’s now also the disability rig. So you can go in with your wheelchair, uh, to sit in the wheelchair and then able to race. That’s an option. I tried it at the expo and it was great and it works very well, but.

I’m also doubting, uh, because you have from bels to seats and then you have a GT seats and, and then you have special inserts that you can do and that shape to the form of your back. Mm-Hmm. . And that could be very interesting as well to try first before I go over to a complete disability risk. Uh, yeah. I need to see what will be the best option.

Mm-Hmm. . [00:14:00] And then, uh, I’ll be able to sit longer in the rig. I struggle not to sit an hour like this in the rig. Uh, if I need to race, it’s even more difficult. So, uh, that’s why, uh, in the future we will change some, some things adjusted here and there, and then, uh, I’ll be able to race again.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yes, I see on the camera you got a little bit, like, more formula between GT, uh, seating position, right?

Yes.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yes, I have a GT seat, but I needed to tilt it a little bit because otherwise my legs were in the way of the steering wheel. And that couldn’t go higher anymore, so, uh, yeah. It’s all It’s just not right, not perfect, and I need to have a perfect for my back to be able to race longer because I like the endurance racing more than the sprints.

I’m not a sprint type, uh, racer. All

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: right. So speaking about endurance races, uh, what is [00:15:00] your favorite combo? What, what car do you like and what track do you like the most?

Yvonne Houffelaar: Well, um, my favorite track and car, I can say it in one sentence. Because I get already excited from the idea. Is Bernadette de Benelli at Misano?

If I do, if I’m, if I, what I do there, I don’t know. But I have very good pace there. And if I could find out what I do there. And I could do that on every tech, it would be perfect. But I haven’t found it out yet. But you could here, could there, could everywhere, but not too much. And it just works. It just flows so well.

Yeah. By far my favorite combination.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, Mizana is a great track, for real. Like, it’s awesome. Yeah, I agree with you. Um, I know that you’re a co founder of a United Team team and also working in Nita [00:16:00] Sports. Uh, so let’s talk, let’s dive deep into this a bit more. Yes.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yes, I’m the co founder of United Sim Team together with Sophie, with my partner, and, uh, we have, yeah, how many drivers do we have?

Around 20, I believe, maybe a bit more or less. So quite a lot. Uh, we have some pros, we have some amateurs, and in the middle, so we have all kind of levels. And, uh, that’s what makes it great because everyone can learn from each other. And, uh, we like to To help everyone where we can and, uh, yeah, it’s just, uh, just great to, to, to be able to provide this as well to, to other drivers.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Um, how did you get into Inuit sports and, uh, how long time that was ago?

Yvonne Houffelaar: Um, Um, [00:17:00] Message, I was messaging with Steffi, I think she saw me somewhere streaming or with the sim grid or something like that. And, uh, then I went to, with Steffi, to an event in Birmingham, so then I saw her in person. As well and help there also with AKA Esports.

Um, they were there too. So the three of us were there and, uh, helping out there and, uh, yeah, just kept talking a bit and then they came, uh, the screen to speak Las Vegas events. And, uh, I was thinking, would I like to participate? Uh, I’m not sure. I’m not fit. My health was bad, so I wasn’t really interested in, uh, participating in the event.

But then I thought, well, she is looking for someone who can manage the community and all things around it. And I figured, ah, that can be something for me. I like to help other people. My dream used to [00:18:00] be being a nurse in the hospital and going for emergency trips outside of the country. Where it’s needed.

Well, I definitely can’t do that with with my disability, but that’s okay. So now I’ll figure out a way how to help others, let them shine. And I just be in the background and, uh, yeah, it’s great. So, uh, I must say I would like to do this, I would like to help others, let them behind. And that’s how I got, uh, involved.

And, uh, two years later, I’m still there.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s great. It’s awesome that you found the place where you, uh, you dedicated to what you’re doing. It’s, uh, it’s great and awesome. And it’s also like some racing, racing related, um, company. It’s awesome. Yes. That’s the greatest thing in the world when you’re doing what you love, definitely.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yes, that is great. And if you can give others the [00:19:00] opportunity to, to, uh, go to, for example, Las Vegas, that some didn’t even fly. That was the first time that they were flying. And then you go to Vegas. It’s amazing. And as well, she got to drive in the GT3 cup car. Uh, yeah, it’s, it’s great. If you can provide.

things for others to give them the opportunity. And still after we did the group series, uh, and that was, uh, also nice to do because you can still, uh, help them. You can still give them the opportunity to. To shine basically also for social media. You can give them a little boost

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: And

Yvonne Houffelaar: yeah with the inner talks, uh, I arrange a lot a lot of things normally in the background So you won’t see me, but i’m there So that and that’s also nice to do because you give others the spotlight To tell about their story and to [00:20:00] highlight them and I think that’s good.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, so, um How do you feel to represent women in simracing and racing as well? And how do you feel, like, community friendly or not really? So what’s your opinion about this?

Yvonne Houffelaar: Uh, I think women belong in simracing and motorsports. And, uh, they deserve it. Just need to believe in yourself because everyone can achieve it.

No matter how old, young you are, who you are, disabled or not, women or men, doesn’t matter. So, I think it’s great. This is a great way to get women involved into sim racing. Uh, into motorsports with the SIM4STEM we get a lot of female students who are around, uh, the 16 years old and they can get a taste how it’s all going in the engineering part and then they’re thinking, oh, but then they’re trying the [00:21:00] same.

That’s very cool. Uh, then they, uh, Joining in the cup series or, uh, we help them privately in the same, see, uh, uh, if we can help them improve and how it all works and so forth and so forth. So, uh, I think it’s a great way to get more women involved and allow them shine. I definitely

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: agree with you that, uh, everything should start, like, from childhood, uh, get involved girls into racing or simracing, uh, like, if they don’t have opportunity to jump into the racing or karting because it can be really expensive.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yes.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: But I think simracing is, uh, really open for everyone because you can even race with a desk and just simple, uh, racing wheel and pedals and just drive. Jump into some racing and try it and that’s a great opportunity for everybody

Yvonne Houffelaar: Well, even with a console you can just sit on the couch have the controller and You can race so it doesn’t need to be expensive at [00:22:00] all.

You can get a ps5 or ps4 PS4 secondhand, uh, because I remember when I was living in England with Soph, uh, I started with Gran Turismo. I bought 400 pounds, I bought a secondhand PlayStation and we had loads of fun on Gran Turismo. And since then I’ve been driving on Gran Turismo as well. That’s why I say it doesn’t need to be expensive, a lot of things that you already have at home.

You can use for it and then you don’t need a rig. You can build up with a controller and then say, Oh, I would like to try a wheel. And you can, you don’t still don’t need a rig. You can have a wheel stands and they’re already there. So you can, it can build it up and you can make it as expensive as you want to.

Basically.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, that’s right. You can like build the rig for your budget, which you got right now, and maybe then plan some greats and something like this. You mentioned about streaming with SimGrid, [00:23:00] can you tell about this a bit more? And if you’re planning to make any content in the future, so what’s that going to be?

Yvonne Houffelaar: Well, I mostly did was lab guides for the, for the SimGrid. talk right away because yeah, they first said, Oh, it’s better if you drive and then to overlay with the voice. But I didn’t really like that. So I was driving and make the lap time right away. And, uh, yeah, a lot went wrong, so I have a lot of bloopers.

But I always had something good in the end. It was good fun to do. And, um, yeah, I streamed myself also for some years, on YouTube and Twitch. But yeah, when I’m back on racing, sim racing again, I will be back streaming, but now I really don’t have something to stream because I don’t play any other game than sim racing.

And I’m further also not very interested in all the other games, so it’s a bit [00:24:00] difficult to stream, uh, nothing.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, I fully understand this. How did you enjoy streaming, uh, when you’ve been racing, yeah? Um, how was it for you to manage Chad and all things together with, with driving?

Yvonne Houffelaar: Well, I like it. I like to talk and drive.

So, uh, I always had the chats on my top screen. I had my desk on the top screen so I could see my pedal inputs. So I always looked at the chats and tried to talk with them. And, uh, yeah, I really enjoyed it. And, uh, yeah, some races weren’t good, but if you then have a nice conversation with the chat, it makes it better.

Yeah, then it makes it fun still to do and you enjoy it still. So that’s good.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, absolutely agree with you because even if you got really bad crashes or something like this Like community trying to support you they trying to make a joke from this and it’s a great [00:25:00] thing. Yeah Definitely. Yes,

Yvonne Houffelaar: but that always makes it better.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Uh, how can you Uh compare the community and acc to maybe iRacing, um So what do you think about this?

Yvonne Houffelaar: Uh, ACC is getting a little bit less, unfortunately. I think they’re, in general, they’re driving less people on ACC than iRacing. But it’s getting more less now, so you see a lot of ladies also switching from ACC to iRacing.

Luckily, if you’re new to iRacing, we can offer a three months, uh, code, so they can try it, have all the free content, and then they can see, okay, I like this, then, yes, you can go further with it, or I don’t like it, that’s okay, you’ve tried it, did some races with us, and you didn’t like it, that’s fine, so.

Yeah, it’s, it’s [00:26:00] getting less on ACC, but it’s a shame because I really like ACC and it suits a bit more my driving, so, yeah, that’s a bit, uh A bit of a shame, but we’ll get there. We still get some races there, so maybe I will participate in some later on with the LFM community. And, uh, well, if I ask Soph and a few others, would you like to drive on it?

We’re going to drive on it, so that will be fun.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, but I think that ACC really grown for this year. So together with our racing, uh, as well, everything started basically in 2020, when all the pandemic stuff happened, like a lot of people get bored and just jump into some racing. Um, so yeah, hopefully we’re going to have like, It’d be, uh, a lot people in a CC and in the racing as well, alongside with it.

Uh, it’s going to be great.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yes. Well, as Mike says, uh, set of course was coming, so I’m curious what [00:27:00] that’s gonna be. It was at the experts to try, but I was too busy with work, so,

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-Hmm, .

Yvonne Houffelaar: I haven’t tried it yet, but as soon as it comes there, uh, I will, uh, test this right away and see if we can do some events on there.

That would be great as well.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Right, you’ve been on SimRacingExpo, as you mentioned, right now, uh, you’ve been behind the scenes, can you tell about this event, uh, what was interesting here, and what was your job right here as well?

Yvonne Houffelaar: Well, it was great. That’s for the start. For the first time, there was a, uh, a women’s arena, At the SimRacingExpo, uh, the Screen2Speed, uh, Women’s Arena, was it called?

And, uh, yeah, on the, on the days, we had lots of ladies coming in. Some were trying for the first time they’re coming with their boyfriends or husbands or Whatever they’re coming with, they [00:28:00] tried it. Some did already sim racing, but never tried iRacing before. And they are now joining in to the races and get the three months off, uh, from iRacing, get the three months, uh, three months membership from iRacing.

And now they’re trying out how iRacing works and so forth and so forth. So that’s already great. And then on Saturday we have the event. We had 10 ladies invited and because we had 10 rigs, so we said 10 ladies is max because We don’t have any more rigs to do the race And we had two 20 minutes races Uh with the f4 at the Nürburgring and uh, yeah, it was some very very good racing Victoria Thompson won the german lady as well.

So that made it perfect a german winner in germany You Can’t be better. The prize is, uh, get a, a test day at the Nordschleife. Ah, that was, [00:29:00] that’s perfect. So, yeah, probably that’s going to be next year. And, uh, yeah, hopefully we see her there then, uh, racing at the Nordschleife. That’s, uh, that’s great. And, uh, yeah, my story.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah. Yeah. You can continue. Sorry.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Oh yeah. I can keep talking. But, uh, uh, my role there was to, to help all the ladies, um, uh, together with Yana, we set up everything. And also with some guys from the Outdox Sim Racing Expo, uh, helped as well because building up the rigs was a lot of work and, uh, well, we got it all just in time with many hours in.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: So

Yvonne Houffelaar: just in time, I was ready when, when I saw it on Friday and then we just welcomed everyone, uh, get all the ladies in, uh, help them in the rigs, uh, yeah, talk with everyone. And, uh, yeah, I was helping the [00:30:00] lady, supporting them, uh, did the communication with them. I was also helping in the stream behind the scenes, so I did a bit of everything.

The days, oh, making content, content as well, posting it on the social media, and yeah, it was crazy. Hard work, but it was perfect.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, I remember we had, uh, one of the in eat talks with, uh, with Jana and, uh, she was in a hotel.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yeah, we were completely naked. I remember, yeah.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That was really fun. That was a

Yvonne Houffelaar: Friday evening.

Uh, because we originally planned it for the Thursday, but it was a mess. We still needed so much to do that. Well, I’m sorry. We’re definitely not going to make that one. We need to build further. We need to get this ready. So then we postponed it to the Friday and we were driving back together to the hotel and we were saying, Oh no, that we planned this.

So we had a coffee and then went [00:31:00] into the inner talks, uh, and it was still great. It was just fun. We’re nice with all the ladies there as well. It was, it was fun.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: It was awesome. She was really, you know, relaxed. And, uh, uh, she told me that maybe I’m not going to be too chatty. And she just like, dive into the inner talks and, uh, spoke a lot.

Yvonne Houffelaar: It was fun. The door went open and she walked very well in it.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Definitely, that was awesome. You know, that’s great that we got big events in SimRacing right now, and maybe more people are going to know about SimRacing and dive deep into it, because it’s awesome. I really like SimRacing. I even I like it more to my career, which I had in real life, uh, because unfortunately you’re not getting that competitive racing, um, in real life races, uh, just because less people getting into racing and, uh, sim racing is more competitive because of this, and I really like [00:32:00] this.

Um,

Yvonne Houffelaar: yes, I like it too. Although I, I like also, uh, with the racing, uh, you really, you put your helmet on, you’re getting ready. Uh, it’s, it’s different. You have still the same mentality as in the sim. But it’s still different to race in real life or in the sim. And that’s more because of the adrenaline is coming in there.

Uh, it’s more, uh, intensive for the body and so forth. Yeah. Further, it’s a lot of the same by in comparison with, but those are the differences.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah. I remember I’ve been racing in Malaysia, whereas the humidity is 100%. And, uh, it’s, it’s really hot. It’s like 30 degrees by Celsius outside and in the car. You just you got nothing like to cool you down.

Uh, I remember guys in G3s They had this cool shirt and all the stuff So they [00:33:00] were in more comfortable situation and than I because I was driving the formal BMW and then formal four It was really hard, like, you, you just, uh, really try to push, push yourself to stay on the track till the finish, uh, line, till the finish flag, um, so mentally it’s a different thing, uh, than in sim racing, but because you’re getting really competitive races in sim racing, uh, you also Like, um, got a lot of emotions, got a lot of, uh, concentration and, uh, you’re getting tired as well.

But with the body, you’re of course, uh, feeling a lot better.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yes, I understand that. Well, what I, what I liked as well with the racing, it was not only the racing itself, you could really inspire others. To do things like I did a lot of things with RacingPride. I went on some panels just to, to, to help others as well.

And show you can do [00:34:00] this. And, uh, I tried to do the same in sim racing. So, uh, when I’m back again and maybe with the, uh, just Rick, because I tried it and it was really, really good and really stable as well. Because I was afraid if you don’t have all the parts here and the seat with the weight how it’s gonna feel With the base because I have quite a strong base and I like that.

But how is that gonna go with the rig? Well, you’re not having weight here because normally it keeps it in balance and That works perfect. So yeah, if I, if I have something like that, I will make content from it and try to help as much um others to to Show you that with a limited budget because it’s it’s a bit cheaper than a normal rake You can still even when you’re disabled you can still race.

You don’t need an offensive wheel to be able to race also then So [00:35:00] if I can only help one, it’s already good, but yeah, I would like to help everyone.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s a good thing. I also really like to help people when they’re coming to stream asking about maybe Equipment or sometimes about racing and how to do properly the track, which we’re driving this week It’s always a pleasure for me to help people and they like return back after some time maybe in two weeks or months or something They tell him like, what’s up?

Wow, you twice helped me to get better on this track. I, like, I achieved the better lap time. It’s, it’s a great feeling.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yeah, it’s great. Yeah, that’s what I hope to do, uh, over a couple of months.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s great. We’re going to wait for this, definitely.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yes, um, I’m waiting for it. I would like to.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Right, um, speaking about driving, uh, what is your routine, uh, to prepare for endurance race, for example?

Yvonne Houffelaar: For in the [00:36:00] sim? Yeah, in the sim, yeah. Well, I first always go to the loo, because I need to pee often a day. So I always do that. And for an endurance race, I always drink an espresso. I have my favorite coffee. I drink it way too much a day. But, I always do that first, and it doesn’t matter if I have one set or double sets, or how long it is, I always do the same.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s great. I think that, I really like to have a tea. I always get a tea, um, on my, on my, like, somewhere close to the rig, when I’m racing, when I’m doing the streaming and everything. Um, Good that you got a coffee and it really helps you to get energy for endurance races, I think.

Yvonne Houffelaar: It’s just a routine. So, uh, 20 minutes before I know I need to go in the car, I’ll say, okay, I’ll be right back.

Can I have a coffee? And then I put [00:37:00] the machine on, go to the loo, have the coffee, and then I go back in the rig and then I’m ready to go. But yeah, I do that every time, but I did the same with racing before I sat in the car. I always drink my espresso. I have my coffee machine with me in the garage because, uh, the British coffee, it’s very watery.

Let’s say it that way. And I like a nice strong espresso. So, um, I always brought my own machine. And I did it always before I sat in the car. It didn’t matter what session it was. I always had a coffee. I went to the loo and then I did my gay room and went in the race car.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That sounds good. Uh, can you tell me you really into endurance races and what do you like the most?

Like that’s a management of the schedule or management of the fuel. Uh, so what’s your role in the team and what do you like the most? [00:38:00]

Yvonne Houffelaar: Um, well, mostly we make a schedule together, but, um, yeah, I like with endurance racing, uh, the consistency. I’m not the fastest. I know that, but I can drive very consistent.

So then. I like endurance racing more because with sprint you need to be really fast, elbows out and racing to be able to win and, um, I can’t, so I know I don’t have the winning speed, but because of an endurance race you can still win. Because, uh, you, you can keep the lap times very close. And what I like with, with the others drive, uh, you practice together, uh, making the, the schedule, uh, you must also sometimes, well, mostly you drive with friends, which is also nice to do all together.

And then you try, uh, all together to, [00:39:00] to achieve the best results you can. And that’s also a nice to do instead of alone.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s great. I think, uh, from my side, I really like Endurances, um, to, like, manage the schedule and also do consistent lap times and, like, trying to be safe and avoid crashes. Yes. On track, because it’s really important.

You have to keep your pace. Car in one piece and bring it to the finish line. Yeah, that’s different compared to sprint races, as you said. I like sprint races, but endurance is just different. It’s really cool to do them with your friends, with people who you’re comfortable with.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yes. Well, you have the speed for the sprint races as well, so that makes it already a bit better.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s right. Um, what advice can you give to people who [00:40:00] Thinking to start in sim racing and racing as well as you, um, one day you jump into racing, yeah, you said that you run into the karting school, um, so yeah.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Uh, hey Mark, Kirsten Abens, sorry, he is German so I figured I’ll say that. I’ll say something in German.

Um, but yeah, my advice will be for starting with sim racing. You don’t need all the fancy, very cool looking equipment to be able to race. You can start small and you can expand if you like, just in bits. I did my PC and everything also in bits. It all came together in a couple of years. So you don’t need to spend loads in one go.

You can even start on the console, start with Gran Turismo, or ACC on the console, or on the Xbox, and, uh, or Playstation. [00:41:00] You don’t need to, to start expensive to be able to be competitive in every game.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: And

Yvonne Houffelaar: I think that’s the tip, because, mostly on, Uh, or on social media you see all those fancy rigs and then you see the price and you think oh no, I can’t afford this now.

So if you, uh, start a bit smaller and then when you want something, uh, but is a bit more expensive, you can work towards that, you don’t need it right away. So, uh, yeah, don’t spend too much if you don’t need it, basically. In the beginning, just to start with, because, uh, I know sometimes, especially when you see those things on the social media, you think, Oh, I want that, and then you look at the price, 1500 euros, and you think, Oh, no, that’s too expensive.

There are cheaper options to start with.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, the worst thing in [00:42:00] social media is sometimes that people really force you to go to DR drive wheelbases and, like, expensive stuff. It’s

Yvonne Houffelaar: not me, that’s

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mhmm. Like, you won’t be competitive or something like this, uh, but yeah, I’m also on the side that you can start with whatever equipment you got, like, you can use console, as you said, yeah, and, uh, yeah.

Like, if you got a laptop which can run the simulator, you can also start from this, and yeah. I think it’s, that sim racing is more open for everybody.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yes, it is. And like Micah says as well, uh, uh, don’t go for the higher racing in game series, like F1 or GT3. Lower series are much fun and good to learn racing, even better in one make series.

Yeah, that’s true. Don’t, uh, pressure yourself to do the fastest car with the most aero, uh, aero. aerodynamics and sports. You can start with the MX 5 [00:43:00] or the Toyota GR86 and you have loads of fun. You can learn everything and then you can build up further, uh, step by step. And that’s a good thing, and most games have that, that you can build up step by step.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, that’s right, and especially talking about some racing, I just suggest people to stick with the one car, just learn tracks and go in step by step, so get familiar with the car and get comfortable with it, and you’re going to gain. Also like more confidence and you’ll feel more comfortable and then you can switch to different cars to faster cars where you can use the aerodynamics and how it’s working, uh, as well.

And from my side for formalists, I really like formal 1 600 because, uh, It’s fast enough, it gives you really good, um, draft on long tracks, and it’s really cool to fight with people on, in this car. It’s, uh, sometimes I’m getting, like, [00:44:00] more exciting races, uh, in the Formula 1 600 compared to Formula 3 in a racing, and it’s a great series, really.

Yes.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yes, I remember, I gained, uh, loads of I rating and license, um, with the Skip Barber. Well, that’s already some years ago. Heh heh! So it’s, I’m not sure if it’s still there, maybe it’s a legacy car, maybe it is, but that was also a good thing to race with.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yes, Kebab is still in the, in the racing, and I think that’s a great series.

I remember a lot of people have been running this and As it’s on the road tires, it’s also give you some, uh, like more slip angle on track and it’s, uh, it’s great to drive. Uh, I like it. So I race it maybe a couple of times, but I enjoy it all the time. We had some fun races with community and Ski Barber.

So.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yeah, that’s good fun. Yeah, as for racing, [00:45:00] uh, you can even go to a circuit close by you or just on Google you can type in if you want to go for your racing license, what are the options? Because every track in every country has the options for a racing license. Uh, you need to, well you can then choose, uh, which company you go with.

Uh, and then you can have some training leading up to it, or you’ll have a two day course, or yeah, or it’s a one day, and then you’ll have your theory exam, and the driving exam, basically, on the track, and yeah, what you want to race, it’s all up to what your goal is, that’s for everyone different in racing, and uh, there are many classes in each country to race, And, uh, yeah, to, to find sponsors, it can be a [00:46:00] challenge, but it is doable.

If you, it’s not about how many, you know, it’s about who you know. So, um, yeah, if, if people have questions about how to get into sim racing or into racing, they can always message me. Uh, like my car just has a racing license right away in AU1 and not only a Dutch one. Yeah. Which is great. So she can race in a whole Europe now.

That’s an amazing step forward. So, yeah, I like to hear those kinds of things and, uh, And try to, to promote it a bit more. So she will be the guest next week. And then, uh, we can promote it a bit more. And, uh, yeah, hopefully she can find the sponsors to go into the, to the Fun Cup. I believe it is. Micah, correct me if I’m wrong, please.

But, uh, yeah. Yeah, that’s uh, this will be cool. And then if we can promote that as well And then we we can’t guarantee that we can find any [00:47:00] sponsors But we can at least promote them so people see their social media accounts and uh, yeah, then you’ve been uh, Then you can get also more contact, uh, on social media with companies or people.

It’s not how many, but we know. And, uh, yeah. Ah, the Fun Cup series it is.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s great. Yeah, as you mentioned, it’s, uh, I think it’s really important also if you want to Uh, dive deep into the racing. Uh, you have to alongside work with your social medias because it can give you, uh, some connections, as you said, and also, uh, it’s going to be easier for you to find sponsors and, um, because I started my Instagram long time ago.

I also, uh, gain really good audience here. I was able to start streams and, uh, bring some people from. Um, from my Instagram and, uh, that [00:48:00] really helped the Twitch to grow and that, that’s really working like this and it’s awesome. Uh, so yeah, I, from my side, I can suggest people who go on to try racing. If you’re ready in karting, you can do some videos or like photos, whatever you have to post them.

You have to. Uh, gain the audience, uh, which, uh, probably going to help you in the future with a racing career or with your career overall as well. Yes. Yes.

Yvonne Houffelaar: And it’s important to post regularly, so not on and off, but to post sometimes in the week and do that every week the same. Within a different post, of course, but on the same days, basically.

That works as well to get a, get a rhythm into it. Uh, but yeah, uh, for me, I need to post more on social media because I do a lot. I do a lot of things in the background, but I don’t tell, so that’s fine by me. I don’t post [00:49:00] about it, but, uh, yeah, networking is always good.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Right. And as you with, uh, any of the sports and also, uh, we, we, alongside with screen to speed, uh, can you tell us what events, uh, we’re going to have in the near time?

Yvonne Houffelaar: Well, this year we had the Cup Series, unfortunately, we needed to stop that, uh, but for next year we have a plan, uh, Everything is gonna be fully announced on social media and on Discord when we have all the dates ready, but we’re gonna, uh, Organize six events on iRacing, that’s gonna be together with iRacing, it’s gonna be special events.

And it will be also coming only iRacing calendar from the special event. So that’s already quite big. And then we’re going to try to get as much as possible women involved. And, um, yeah, it’s gonna be, uh, six special [00:50:00] events. And, uh, we’re trying to also get some, something going on Gran Turismo and we’re working on a plan for that as well.

And for America, uh, with the USF, uh, we’re gonna organize six races also for them. And who wins that, has a chance to compete for Team USA. At the Olympic Esports Games. So there’s all big things coming up and, um, yes, I’m looking forward to the six events. I think it’s better than a cup. So drivers needs to commit less to races and still has a big highlight as a race, for example.

So, uh, with the special events and we can really promote them and push it out there on the social media. If I haven’t broadcast that and, uh. Yeah, I think we can achieve more this way than we, uh, previously did with the cup series.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm hmm. Yeah, I think [00:51:00] that, uh, if that’s going to be a, like, separate special event, um, there’s more people going to drive, uh, here because they’re not going to really, uh, You know, aim to gain points for the championship or something like this.

Like, I found it’s easier, um, when you’re running the community races, you just hold the session and everybody jump in and, uh, you know, just everybody having fun, not thinking about this, uh, points and all this stuff. Yes.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Well, we’re going to organize some prizes for each events. And, uh, we first have the 15th of December.

You’ve got mail as well. Just a, just a heads up. And we will have the Screen2Speed Holiday Invitational 2024. Because last year, 2023, we had it as well. So that’s why we always took the number of the year behind it. And, uh, that’s going to be a special event. And, [00:52:00] um, yeah, we’re going to start with that. The top three will get some iRacing credits from iRacing.

And, uh, yeah, that’s going to be good fun with the iRacing. com. Everything on it.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, that would be great. I’m going to take a part in this. I’m looking for, for more information about what, how are we going to

Yvonne Houffelaar: do to the list? And then you get the information.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: All right. That sounds awesome. Uh, so speaking about you, uh, what’s your plans for 2025 and for upcoming years as well?

So we, we just, uh, I think can. Tell about this and, uh, Uh, then just go on to invite people once again to our broadcast of, uh, Screen2Speed. The race will be, uh, 15th of nove of of December. Um, yes, so yeah, uh, let’s move to your Big plans for the future.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Well, I have some big [00:53:00] bold plans because I have a dream here in Austria.

Um, well, as you all know, I’m disabled, so I’m doing also disabled sporting. So, um, I would like to have hair around the eye, I can say. And not only normal cycling, but also hand biking, because there’s a beautiful lake, beautiful bike paths where you can, can cycle. And for example, with a hand bike, that’s perfect.

You can air across country and skiing. So you’ll be able to do that. So I would like here to start a company and, uh, to, to help others, provide them the opportunity when you’re disabled to sports, but also that’s your partner or parents or whoever is with you also can do the sport, but then the normal way, so you can all do it together as a family or friends.

Uh, and then you can do the sports here, also [00:54:00] adjusted, and, uh, do workshops as well, so give workshops to show, uh, what’s possible, and, uh, for everyone, there is something possible. You maybe do it a bit slower, or in a wheelchair instead of walking or running, uh, that’s all fine. So show what can, what’s possible and just don’t give up and you’ll get there and if I can help a lot more people with it than I do myself, yeah, that’s, that will be great.

So I’m, I’m making a business plan all in German. So it’s a challenge and then I hope to, to start this here in this region and then maybe expand further out in Austria as well, but it’s so small here with just a few, um, Uh, handbikes, uh, mono ski, uh, cross country, uh, sits, uh, ski, um, you can do, uh, [00:55:00] canoeing on the lake.

Uh, I haven’t adjusted one like that, so, yeah, there is so much possible here, uh, to do for disabled sports, but isn’t there yet, so, yeah, my, my dream would like to To, uh, to, to create this opportunity for others to be able to also go on a sports holiday and not have to worry, oh, but I can’t do this. I can’t do that.

I can’t do that. No, you can do everything here. It doesn’t matter disability or not. Yeah, that’s one of my biggest dreams. Well next year I also hope to be back in the sim, do some races that is Because I’ll miss it. That’s that’s for sure and I will be streaming that as well I hope to be back in the sim and I also will do for good charity I will go again up to Selvio with a bike, surf as well, [00:56:00] uh, to raise money, uh, for cancer research.

And I also will do this year the Alpe d’Huez. Uh, that’s very popular in the Netherlands. Uh, it’s a mountain in France, but every, uh, every year they organize, um, The event to raise money for cancer as well. And, uh, yes, I do, Mark, I know. But, um, and then we raised money. And, uh, yeah, unfortunately, I lost a lot of loved ones due to cancer.

So I’m happy that I can do this to raise money to the good charity and hopefully they will find well, they find a way, uh, to have a better treatment that they’re more surviving chance for the people as well. Uh, because, uh, Yeah, I think this is a great thing to do. So I’m gonna organize some charity races again Like I did last year.[00:57:00]

It was it came up in an idea the middle of the night level I need to do a charity race to raise money on the sim. So I did something on ground tourism because I knew because of the dtm classic community because of sharon because of mark I will get at least a lobby full So I had two lobbies full running with stream and everything to raise money So this year i’m definitely gonna do something And take some more time for this.

So once the calendar is all finished then I will take a look on that and um Organize also something online racing to to raise money for both of the charities So one is going to be the 5th of june. Then we go Okay The Old West with the bike and, uh, I believe it’s 30th of August. We’re going up to Selvia with the bike.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: This is awesome. You got a really big plans. I hope all your dreams come true. [00:58:00] And I, I think that everything is possible for everyone. Like we, we got a lot of opportunities also because of the internet that we can connect with a lot of people around the world. And that’s a Great opportunity. Um, so I’m pretty sure that your charity races and everything will go, uh, really well.

And yeah, thank you so much, uh, for talking with us. Thank you so much for being here and thank you for all the job which you’re doing for some racing and, uh, for this world as well.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Thank you. And, uh, uh, Mark, I’ll be coming back to the ATM classic. I’ll promise you, but I first have the German course and that’s exactly on the same time that that raises.

So, uh, I have now a new one because I want to learn German as I speak Dutch. So I have still some ways to go and, um, Yeah, and when that’s finished, I’ll be there [00:59:00] with my BMW e30 that I started in so I was all proud and I still have a truth because I got second the last season and With a controller, so I was all proud of the BMW e30 And I drove that as well the the first time when I went on a racetrack when I was 15 So yeah, that looks great.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, this BMW is awesome. I really like old BMWs, they look so beautiful.

Yvonne Houffelaar: Yes, yes, especially the old ones. I really like it. And yeah, don’t forget, because I need to remind this for a moment, because we’re working hard behind the scenes for the postcards, so you can all listen to it. After Monday, it will go online, and then you can all listen to this back in the car, or when you’re laying in bed and want to relax, and then you Then you hear me and you get very sleepy, but [01:00:00] you can all listen it back now also on the podcast, which is great.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, that’s awesome. Yeah guys, uh, don’t forget to, uh, check Spotify for IneedTalks and also don’t forget to follow social medias like Ineedesports and Screen2Speed as well to be up to date with upcoming events where you can take a part, uh, in some races and some racing in the future. And once again, thank you so much for watching.

Yuan, thank you so much for being here. We’ll see you next time. Bye! See you next

Yvonne Houffelaar: time. Bye

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: bye!

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